***
Seth stretched and sat up, noticing Cerbyss still sprawled out, snoozing peacefully, while Raynar remained alert by his side.
"Don't you need sleep?" Seth asked, his voice still groggy from slumber.
Raynar let out a low growl. "No. Sleep."
"I see. Well, let's wake Cerbyss and have breakfast together before we leave this place."
Gently, Seth nudged Cerbyss awake. Cerbyss yawned widely, its sharp teeth glinting in the dim light, before wagging its tail and standing up. After sharing a simple meal, Seth asked Raynar to guide them to the surface.
The trio climbed through the ruins, ascending until they emerged into the open. The sky stretched wide above them, a mix of unfamiliar colors painting the horizon. Seth took a moment to take it all in, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
He frowned. "Where should I even go? Ideally, I'd head to a city to learn how this world works, but I don't know the way. And this body's memories are so fragmented."
'Woof.' Cerbyss barked, breaking Seth's thoughts.
"Hmm? Do you know the way to a city, Cerbyss?"
'Woof.'
"Really? Then please lead the way."
With another bark, Cerbyss started moving confidently ahead. Seth followed closely, while Raynar took up the rear, ever watchful.
As they walked, Seth noticed the quiet. "I don't see a single monster around. Did you pick a safe route, Cerbyss?"
'Woof.'
"No? Then why is it so eerily quiet?"
Suddenly a deep growl echoed through the air, followed by the sound of rocks crashing and heavy impacts.
"It sounds like something or someone is fighting nearby. Let's check it out before moving on."
Guided by the noises, they made their way toward the source of the commotion. Upon arrival, Seth's eyes widened at the scene before him.
A group of people was locked in combat against a swarm of Frostbite Wolves and a few Abyss Howlers. Weapons clashed and magic flared, while growls and snarls filled the air.
"What the…? This looks bad," Seth muttered under his breath, gripping the artifact on his arm. Raynar and Cerbyss immediately tensed, prepared for his command.
Seth, who had been observing the situation from the shadows, frowned deeply and ask Cerbyss about the monsters.
"Do you recognize those Abyss Howlers, Cerbyss?" Seth whispered.
'Woof woof.'
"They're not part of your pack? So, they belong to another group of monsters, huh?" Seth's gaze shifted back to the embattled group of adventurers.
One of the men, wide-eyed and panicked, shouted, "Why the hell are there so many Tier C monsters here? I thought this area was cleared of anything higher than Tier E or F!"
Another man, seemingly the leader, growled, "You're right. We must've taken the wrong path. Who was the idiot who led us this way?"
A third man sneered, "It was Lyra, boss. That woman replaced that useless idiot Seth for navigation."
Hearing his name, Seth smirked bitterly. "So, they're the ones who left this body for dead. Figures they'd be a band of scumbags."
The woman, Lyra, snapped, "You fools! I told you Seth was the only one who knew these ruins inside and out! You're the ones who abandoned a competent guide, and now you blame me? Didn't you all agree to take this path?"
"Shut your mouth, wench! It's your fault for not stopping us!" barked a man with two tusk-like teeth protruding from his mouth.
"Wh-what…?" Lyra stammered, but her protest was cut off as the Abyss Howlers howled in unison, rallying their pack. The sound sent a chill through the air.
"Screw this! What do we do now, boss?" asked another man, dressed in something resembling a biker's outfit.
The burly bald leader snarled, "Throw the girl to the monsters. She'll distract them long enough for us to escape."
Two of the bald man's lackeys began advancing toward Lyra while the others struggled to hold back the encroaching monsters.
Watching this unfold, Seth's jaw tightened. He glanced at Raynar and Cerbyss, both ready for action.
"These bastards…" Seth muttered. "What do you think, Raynar, Cerbyss? Should we help the girl?"
Raynar growled lowly, its glowing eyes fixed on the Abyss Howlers. Cerbyss barked once, its tail wagging, eager for a fight.
"Alright then. Let's clean up this mess our way." Seth's lips curved into a dangerous grin as he prepared to intervene.
"I don't know why, but I can feel us getting stronger. Is this because of our bond levels increasing?" Seth muttered to himself, clenching his fists as a faint pulse of energy surged through him. "Whatever it is, I need to focus right now."
He observed the scene before him, waiting for the perfect moment to act. The bald leader barked an order at his men. "What are you waiting for? Throw the wench!"
"Yes, boss!" Without hesitation, the two lackeys grabbed Lyra and hurled her toward the approaching monsters.
"Let's get out of here!" the bald man commanded, leading the rest of the group in a retreat, they run alongside their tamed monsters.
Lyra hit the ground hard, gasping as pain surged through her body. She tried to rise, but her limbs wouldn't cooperate. Her heart raced as the snarling monsters closed in, their icy breath visible in the cold air. While the monster that girl has tamed which was shaped like a cat in black-purplish color standing in front of her trying to protect her.
"Is this… the end?" she whispered, tears streaming down her face. Memories of her two younger siblings flashed in her mind. "I'm sorry, you two… Big sister couldn't make it back." and the girl looking at her tamed monster, "I'm sorry Leo I'm not a good tamers for you, you shouldn't have through this if you don't choose me as your partner." The cat looking monster looked at the girl with a sad-looking face.
The Frostbite wolves crouched, ready to pounce. Lyra closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable.
"Now, Cerbyss!"
A deep growl pierced the air, followed by a ferocious snarl. Cerbyss lunged out of the shadows, its powerful jaws clamping down on the neck of the leading Frostbite wolf, cutting its howl short.
Seth and Raynar charged in right after, Seth skidding to a stop beside Lyra. "Hey, snap out of it! Can you stand?"
Lyra blinked in shock. "Y-you… Seth? You're alive?"
"This isn't the time to be surprised! Can you get up? We need to find cover."
Lyra struggled but couldn't find the strength to stand. Seeing this, Seth knelt down, grabbed her arm, and slung it over his shoulder. "Alright, I've got you. Let's go."
Lyra nodded weakly as Seth helped her back toward the crumbling building behind them. Cerbyss, Raynar flanked them, fending off the advancing monsters with precise strikes and growls that kept the pack at bay, while the girl monster approach the it's partner.
Once they were safe inside the building, Seth eased Lyra onto the floor. "Stay here. I'll handle this."
He turned to Raynar and Cerbyss, who stood at attention, ready for orders. "Alright, can you two handle them all?"
Cerbyss let out an enthusiastic howl, its tail wagging with excitement.
"You're way too excited, Cerbyss," Seth muttered, smirking.
Raynar rumbled with confidence. 'Easy.'
"Of course you'd say that," Seth said with a chuckle. "Alright, this is going to be a bit tricky, commanding two of you at once, but I'll manage. Focus up, they're coming!"
The horde of Frostbite wolves and Abyss Howlers surged toward the building, their claws scraping against the ground as they charged. Seth's eyes narrowed. "This will be my first real battle leading them both… Let's do this."
Frostbite Wolves began their relentless assault, one by one lunging toward Seth's team.
"Cerbyss, dodge to the right, then go for that wolf's neck!" Seth commanded, his voice sharp and precise. "Raynar, maintain Shadowmeld and use Umbral Strike to take out any that come close to us!"
As his companions sprang into action, Seth glanced at the artifact on his arm. "I didn't get a chance to check Cerbyss's skills yesterday. Let's fix that now."
He focused on the thought, 'Show me Cerbyss's skills.' The artifact glowed faintly, and a translucent interface appeared before him:
[Name: Cerbyss (Abyss Howler)]
Level: 5
Bond Level: 2
Race: Abyssal
Rank: Rare
Skills:
1. Paralyzing Howl: Unleashes a bloodthirsty howl that causes temporary paralysis to enemies within range.
Cooldown: 30 Seconds
Range: 20 meters
2. Ethereal Lunge: Locked! Monster level insufficient for skill usage.
3. Shadow Camouflage: Locked! Monster level insufficient. Bond level insufficient.
4. Abyssal Hunger: Locked! Monster level insufficient. Bond level insufficient.
Seth scanned the details quickly. "Wow, Cerbyss can paralyze enemies? That's going to be super useful. But… looks like it's only level 5, so most of the skills are still locked."
He furrowed his brows, analyzing the interface further. "Unlike Raynar, who only needs higher bond levels, Cerbyss requires both bond level and individual level to unlock new skills."
A deep growl pulled his attention back to the fight. Cerbyss had already taken down one Frostbite Wolf, its jaws clamped tightly on its neck. Raynar, meanwhile, struck down two wolves in quick succession, tendrils of shadow lashing out with deadly precision.
Seth grinned. "Alright, no time to waste. Let's use that Paralyzing Howl to turn the tide!"
"Cerbyss, prepare your howl! Wait for my signal!"